Take Me to El Ateneo–ahora mismo!

This one is probably more interesting (no offense meant to my Ateneo friends, you guys know I would have bled blue if it were my choice some nine years ago–but of course, bleeding maroon eventually proved to be one of the best things to happen to me), and it is located in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The original structure was completed in 1919 and launched as Teatro Gran Splendid. In 2000, the structure was leased, renovated, and converted into a bookshop, now known as El Ateneo Gran Splendid. The bookstore obviously still retained much of the ornate designs from the glory days of the theater, and the box seats are being used as reading rooms.

The store has made it to the Top 10 list of the world’s best bookshops, and it’s not hard to see why. What I would give to be able to go to this place! That’s it, time to plan a South American sojourn.